Jacksonville SSRI Drug Injury Attorneys
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) Antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a group of medications used to treat depression and anxiety. They work by slowing down the reabsorbtion of serotonin in the brain, which leaves more serotonin circulating and works to boost mood. SSRIs are often prescribed because they are believed to impose fewer side effects than other medications, but when serious side effects or complications occur, the resulting injuries can be permanently disabling or even fatal.
SSRIs have been linked to several serious injuries, including multiple birth defects in the children of mothers who took SSRIs during their pregnancies. Even if a patient is not pregnant, SSRIs may cause serious complications including the possibility of increased suicide risk or other serious side effects. If you or your infant has been injured by SSRI use, please don’t hesitate to contact the Jacksonville SSRI injury attorneys at Farah & Farah.
SSRI Side Effects
SSRIs can cause a number of side effects. While some of these are mild and resolve in a few days or weeks, others can be disabling and can cause ongoing problems even after the patient stops taking the medication. Common side effects related to SSRI use include:
- Dizziness, nausea, and/or vomiting;
- Headaches;
- Diarrhea or loose stools;
- Nervousness, agitation, and/or restlessness;
- Insomnia and/or poor sleep;
- Drowsiness;
- Rashes or increased sweating; and
- Sexual dysfunction, including reduced desire, inability to maintain an erection, and/or inability to reach orgasm.
SSRIs can also cause problems when they are combined with other medications. For instance, most SSRIs should not be combined with blood-thinning medications, because the risk of abnormal or excessive bleeding increases. When SSRIs are used along with other serotonin-acting medications, like some sleep medications or migraine medications, the risk of a rare but serious condition called serotonin syndrome increases. Serotonin syndrome occurs when there is too much serotonin in the bloodstream, and if it is not promptly treated, it can be fatal.
Birth Defects
SSRIs are also linked to birth defects when they are taken during pregnancy. SSRI medications like Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, and Zoloft have all been linked to serious birth defects, including:
- heart defects;
- lung problems;
- defects in brain or skull development;
- spinal cord defects, including spina bifida;
- cleft lip or cleft palate; and
- clubbed feet and other bone and joint defect problems.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has investigated the link between birth defects and various SSRI medications several times over the past decade. Currently, many commonly-prescribed SSRIs are contraindicated for use in pregnant women because of the known risk of birth defects.
Get Legal Assistance from Our Jacksonville SSRI Drug Injury Lawyers
When an SSRI medication causes serious harm to you or someone you love, your first priority should be taking care of yourself and your family – not fighting for compensation for a harm you should never have had to face. At Farah & Farah, our Florida SSRI injury lawyers take the fight for compensation off your hands, so you can focus on your loved ones. For a free and confidential consultation, contact our Jacksonville injury lawyers at 877-245-6707 today.
